Big 12 Basketball Awards Announcements
by Owen on Mar 7, 2010 12:06 PM CST
in Kansas Jayhawk Basketball
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PrintToday the Big 12 is announcing several individual as well as All Big 12 team awards following the end of regular season conference play on Saturday. Several Jayhawks figure to be in the mix for various mention but first up was Cole Aldrich.
Cole Aldrich was named to the Big 12 All Defensive Team, Big 12 First Team and wrapped up the Defensive Player of the Year. Aldrich finished second in the conference with 3.38 blocks per game during conference play. What puts him over the top in the minds of many is the difficulty he creates on the interior whether it's in making the block or disrupting the shot.
The second Kansas player to earn mention was freshman Xavier Henry who found himself on the Big 12 All Rookie team as well as getting the nod as an honorable mention All Big 12 Player. Despite some early struggles, Henry finished conference play averaging 14.2 points per game on the season.
Sherron Collins joined Cole Aldrich on the First Team All BIg 12 making Kansas the only team with multiple players on the 6 man first team.
Marcus Morris was named second team after exploding during conference play and has positioned himself form plenty of early mention at the beginning of the 2010-2011 season.
Congrats to Cole, Sherron, Marcus and Xavier. Full list of Awards after the jump.
The official All-Big 12 awards are selected by the league’s head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
James Anderson, Oklahoma State, G, Jr., 6-6, 205, Junction City, Ark./Junction City
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Cole Aldrich, Kansas, C, Jr., 6-11, 245, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Ekpe Udoh, Baylor, F, Jr., 6-10, 240, Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe/Michigan
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Alec Burks, Colorado, G, Fr., 6-6, 185, Grandview, Mo./Grandview
SIXTH MAN AWARD
Jamar Samuels, Kansas State, F, So., 6-7, 215, Washington, D.C./The Patterson School [N.C.]
COACH OF THE YEAR
Frank Martin, Kansas State [Career: 67-30, 3rd season; At KSU: 67-30, 3rd season]
All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (Listed alphabetically by school)
All-Big 12 First Team
Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Cl.
Hometown/Previous School(s)
Cole Aldrich, Kansas
C
6-11
245
Jr.
Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
Sherron Collins, Kansas
G
5-11
205
Sr.
Chicago, Ill./Crane
Jacob Pullen, Kansas State
G
6-0
200
Jr.
Maywood, Ill./Proviso East
James Anderson, Oklahoma State**
G
6-6
205
Jr.
Junction City, Ark./Junction City
Damion James, Texas**
G/F
6-7
225
Sr.
Nacogdoches, Texas/Nacogdoches
Donald Sloan, Texas A&M
G
6-3
205
Sr.
Dallas, Texas/Seagoville
All-Big 12 Second Team
Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Cl.
Hometown/Previous School(s)
LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor
G
6-4
205
Jr.
Monroe, La./Excelsior Christian School
Ekpe Udoh, Baylor
F
6-10
240
Jr.
Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe/Michigan
Craig Brackins, Iowa State
F
6-10
230
Jr.
Palmdale, Calif./Brewster Academy [N.H.]
Marcus Morris, Kansas
F
6-8
225
So.
Philadelphia, Pa./Prep Carter/APEX Academy [N.J.]
Denis Clemente, Kansas State
G
6-1
175
Sr.
Bayamon, Puerto Rico/Calusa Prep/Miami [Fla.]
All-Big 12 Third Team
Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Cl.
Hometown/Previous School(s)
Tweety Carter, Baylor
G
5-11
185
Sr.
Reserve, La./Reserve Christian School
Cory Higgins, Colorado
G
6-5
190
Jr.
Danville, Calif./Monta Vista/The Pendleton School [Fla.]
Kim English, Missouri
G
6-6
200
So.
Baltimore, Md./Randallstown/Notre Dame Prep
Tommy Mason-Griffin, Oklahoma
G
5-11
203
Fr.
Houston, Texas/James Madison
Bryan Davis, Texas A&M
F
6-9
250
Sr.
Dallas, Texas/Grand Prairie
Alec Burks (Colorado), Marquis Gilstrap (Iowa State), Xavier Henry (Kansas), Zaire Taylor (Missouri), Willie Warren (Oklahoma), Obi Muonelo (Oklahoma State), Avery Bradley (Texas), John Roberson (Texas Tech), Mike Singletary (Texas Tech)
Big 12 All-Defensive Team
Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Cl.
Hometown/Previous School(s)
Ekpe Udoh, Baylor
F
6-10
240
Jr.
Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe/Michigan
Cole Aldrich, Kansas
C
6-11
245
Jr.
Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
Jacob Pullen, Kansas State
G
6-0
200
Jr.
Maywood, Ill./Proviso East
J.T. Tiller, Missouri
G
6-3
200
Sr.
Marietta, Ga./Wheeler
Dogus Balbay, Texas
G
6-1
175
Jr.
Istanbul, Turkey/Brewster Academy [N.H.]
Bryan Davis, Texas A&M
F
6-9
250
Sr.
Dallas, Texas/Grand Prairie
Big 12 All-Rookie Team
Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Cl.
Hometown/Previous School(s)
Ekpe Udoh, Baylor
F
6-10
240
Jr.
Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe/Michigan
Alec Burks, Colorado
G
6-6
185
Fr.
Grandview, Mo./Grandview
Xavier Henry, Kansas
G
6-6
220
Fr.
Oklahoma City, Okla./Putnam City
Tommy Mason-Griffin, Oklahoma
G
5-11
203
Fr.
Houston, Texas/James Madison
Avery Bradley, Texas
G
6-2
180
Fr.
Tacoma, Wash./Findlay Prep [Nev.]
** - Unanimous Selection
Ties in the voting created additional spots for the All-Big 12 First Team and All-Defensive Team
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Minor Quibbles
Technically, Jamar Samuels comes of the bench so he’s definitiely eligible to be 6th man of the year. That said, he clearly plays starter minutes (when he’s not in foul trouble). Luis Colon is the starter but hardly ever plays starter minutes. Markieff was deserving of this award. However, I don’t fault the coaches for selecting Samuels.
What is the definition of “rookie”? Is it basically any player that is new to the league including transfers? If so, then I understand Udoh being on that team. Still, it looks a bit odd to see a Jr. on the all-rookie team.
Finally, I’ll say that I’m in complete agreement with James Anderson being POY. He deserved it more than any Jayhawk as far as I’m concerned. I also agree with Frank Martin being COY despite the ISU loss. My vote (if I had one) would have gone to Self but only if KU would have gone undefeated in the conference. I think when you’re team is picked to win the conference and they do, it takes something a little more extraordinary to be COY.
Disagree with Burks getting it over Henry
Its a lot easier to put up more points per game and etc when you are on a team that is in the bottom of the league and you can shoot at will.
Henry stepped onto a title contender and contributed at a high level most of the season.
But I am a KU homer…
I think it's a fair argument...
I guess at the same time though you could argue the opposite. That Henry doesn’t get the full attention of the other team whereas Burks does. I’m too lazy to look right now but I’d be curious to see if Burks is a guy that just shoots a bunch or if it’s pretty even.
53 Conference Championships!! and now 6 IN A ROW!!! Holy Hell...Good Luck with That!!
Burks is legit
He was also the leading rebounder for the Buffs and didn’t have near the cast around him that Xavier does. Despite that, he scored more points (16.8 vs. 13.9), shot a better percentage (54% vs. 46%) and averaged the same amount of turnovers despite being asked to do much more.
I may be biased because I sat behind the bench at the CU game in AFH and talked to his mom and dad (very nice people), but I think he deserves it. If Xavier hadn’t had that slump he might have a case, but Burks was more consistent.
by 2.1 seconds left on Mar 7, 2010 6:37 PM CST up reply actions
Fair enough and I am a severe KU homer
But do you know how many more shots he took (if its even that many more)?
My overall point was put Xavier Henry on Colorado, Nebraska, etc etc etc I’d bet money his overall offensive numbers would be higher.
Then again Henry benefits from the exposure of playing for the best team in the country so I guess its a two way street
Xavier actually took more shots than Burks this year.
Burks had a slightly higher eFG%, got to the line more often, and had a few more rebounds.
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.
The mid-season slump was the difference.
Even that being said, nothing is mentioned of D. Even when X was slumping, I seem to recall him playing really solid D; leading KU in steals.
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